The baby bird is thriving, doubling in size in just five days. And she’s already losing some of her downy feathers to look more like an adult.

The hand-reared owlet’s parents are education birds who are trained to fly free during shows and perch on a glove, and this little one will follow in their footsteps.

“She’s been doing well in her first public interactions,” says Cathy Schlott, manager of animal training at the National Aviary. “Her visitors love seeing her up close, and she’s well on her way to being a great education bird.”